HRM Parent Blog

This call for volunteers is from the Prenatal Community Support Network - help support breastfeeding moms in Halifax!

The Prenatal Community Support Network (PCSN) is seeking volunteers to help them carry out a public breastfeeding initiative. We are canvassing local businesses to display the International Breastfeeding Symbol to show their support to breastfeeding mothers in our community. Participating businesses will be invited to display their logos on the PCSN website, a place where women can access information on businesses in their community that are openly breastfeeding friendly. Of course, we assume that EVERY establishment in Halifax is breastfeeding friendly until we are informed otherwise. With this initiative we are opening a dialogue between breastfeeding advocates, breastfeeding mothers and local business owners, as well as publically supporting a mother’s right to breastfeed her baby wherever, whenever and in whichever manner she feels most comfortable.

We are looking for volunteers to canvass local businesses. Volunteers will be provided with the International Breastfeeding Symbol and information on breastfeeding to leave with business owners.

We believe that one decal can make all the difference to a mother who is unsure about breastfeeding her child in public. If you think you can convince even one local business to display the symbol, we need you.

Please contact the project coordinator with any questions or to sign up to be a part of this exciting initiative.

Erin Hemmens, redhemmens@alumni.sfu.ca, 422-6429

This initiative is being funded by a Breastfeeding and Baby Friendly Initiative Grant.

Today we headed down to the Spring Garden Road Library with friends to enjoy the library's "Games on the Library Lawn" program. Thankfully the weather was beautiful, and other than minor issues with the giant inflatable dice blowing away, was great fun. The kids played while I munched on fries from Bud the Spud. Success.

Such concentration on their faces! Being a games piece is hard work, you know.

We even managed to pop into the library to borrow some actual books. These librarians are a clever sort - suck you into coming down on a sunny day for some outdoor fun, and you end up with yet more books to collect fines on. Still, heaps cheaper than buying them, that's for sure. I figure it's all good.

Here's a fun idea for Natal Day weekend, happening at Sullivan's Pond in Dartmouth on Monday from noon to 4pm:

"Where do you like to read? How do you like to play? What kinds of activities or furniture would you like to see in a big new central library? Using a variety of craft supplies make your own addition to our three dimensional library model. Add play dough chairs, decorative reading nooks, sailboats you can sit in for story times or slides from the rooftop. We’ll provide the structure and the supplies - you supply the imagination!"

Public consultations for the Central Library continue in August and September - get your two cents in before it's too late. Check out the Central Library's website for more details.

For other Natal Day events, check out the Alexander Keith's Natal Day Festival website.

On Tuesday Alex and I went to the Dalhousie Women's Centre for their Mom and Me gardening program. It was the first time I'd been there, since I admit I always assumed the centre was for Dal students only. Turns out it's not, and is open to everyone in the community - and yes, that does include the men! Elizabeth, the centre's coordinator, will definitely make you feel at home.

The centre's community garden is a new, small garden essentially in the backyard of a house. It is open for you to use at anytime during the week, but on Tuesdays from 10:30am to noon they host a special Mom and Me time (open to dads, caregivers and grandparents too!). Along with the gardening fun, a volunteer does crafts and activities with the kids, like painting rocks for garden trim and making sprout people. When we were there on Tuesday the kids were having a great time with the sidewalk chalk - simple, but fun! The kids also loved planting marigolds and seeds, and are eager to return to watch their garden grow. Gardening with your kids is a great way to nurture a love of nature and help kids understand where their food comes from.

We try to garden in our own backyard, but I noticed a definite difference in how Alex gardened at the community garden. At home, Alex very much does his own thing and is busy 'planting' dandelions in flower beds and making 'soup' from whatever he finds. At the community garden, he wanted to join in with *real* planting and was eager to learn about the steps involved in planting a flower. Definitely an interesting difference for me to observe! Go figure, eh?

One thing to note about the garden is that unfortunately it is open at the back to the Dalplex parking lot, so if you have a toddler that tends to bolt it might end up being more stressful than relaxing for you! Elizabeth is aware of the issue and is looking at ways to create a barrier. Ideas are appreciated! At the moment they are looking at planting a barrier, but that will take time to grow.

Supplies are provided - just make sure the kids are dressed in clothes they can get dirty! The program is for kids of all ages - everyone is welcome!

Inside the centre, there is a living space, library, kitchen and playroom available for you to use anytime during the week. On the main floor, the living space has a TV/DVD/VCR and a comfy seating area, along with a computer with internet access (thank goodness - don't want to go in withdrawal, lol). The library is small, but well stocked, and there are children's books downstairs. The kitchen has snacks and cooking facilities, which you are welcome to use. The main floor is also wheelchair accessible. Downstairs there is a playroom packed full of toys and a 'green' room with seedlings and gardening supplies. There is also a picnic table and a bbq outside. It's a real 'home away from home' - Elizabeth says they want people to think of it as their rec room, a place to hang out, meet with friends, hold playdates and relax.

The centre's hours are Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm, but Elizabeth suggests calling or emailing first because the hours can change, though that doesn't happen often. You can reach the centre by calling 494-2432, emailing dwc@dal.ca, or visit their website here. The centre is located at 6286 South Street, the white house right in front of Dalplex.

Have fun!

The following is a new feature to HRM Parent, a monthly (-ish) look at a local community centre or project that helps families in the HRM. Enjoy! And if you have any suggestions for centres or projects to be featured here, or would like to write for this section, please email charmaine@hrmparent.ca with your ideas.

Alex and I have played at the Friday morning drop-in at Veith House, a community centre in the north end of Halifax, from time-to-time over the years. The first day we went, back when Alex was three, we were the only ones there along with the friends we went with. This was perfect for Alex, since he can be quite unsure of new situations and people, and so a playgroup with lots of excellent toys for just himself and his dear friends was a dream come true! Alas, the drop-in was just too good to stay so empty and the next time we went it was bustling. Ah well, all good things and all that, heh...

Just a quick head's up about a program that's on offer through the YWCA Halifax which can help you save for your children's future education. My Child's Future is a national project, supported by the federal government, and is available in only four cities across the country - Halifax being one of them!

The project helps people gain the knowledge, skill and confidence to get an RESP and start saving for their child's future. My Child's Future is intended for low and moderate income families, but a family not classed as such would not be turned away just for that reason: "Financial literacy is not based on income alone, nor is this project."

Participants can benefit from workshops, information, advice, counselling, finanical training and more. Visit the My Child's Future website for more information.